Latest news with #WeAreTheChampions
The Herald Scotland
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
Live Aid: When the world's rock stars came together just for one day
As Live Aid promoter Harvey Goldsmith told Mojo magazine recently: 'Queen performed a short set, but it was the set of a lifetime, and it transformed them as a band. If you talk about Live Aid, most people go 'yeah, Queen'.' Francis Rossi of Status Quo, the band that opened proceedings at Wembley on July 13, 1985, later said that, in his view, Queen were the best band on the day. For many musicians – Queen's drummer Roger Taylor among them – the reaction of the 72,000-strong crowd remains an imperishable memory. 'During Radio Ga Ga,' he says in the new edition of Radio Times, 'it did seem that the whole stadium was in unison. But then I looked up during We Are The Champions, and the crowd looked like a whole field of wheat swaying.' U2's set was equally memorable, especially when, during the song Bad, Bono panicked his bandmates by disappearing from their sight in order to get closer to the audience. Confusion then reigned among security staff as he picked out three young women from the crowd. As Bono vanished over the edge of the stage, and showed no sign of reappearing, drummer Larry Mullen thought to himself 'how long can we do this for?'. Mullen admitted to Rolling Stone magazine in 2014: 'It was kind of excruciating. We didn't know whether we should stop, we didn't know where he was, we didn't know if he had fallen.' U2's guitarist The Edge told the same magazine: 'We lost sight of him completely. He was gone for so long I started to think maybe he had decided to end the set early and was on his way to the dressing room. 'I was totally thrown, and I'm looking at Adam [Clayton] and Larry to see if they know what's going on and they're looking back at me with complete panic across their faces. I'm just glad the cameras didn't show the rest of the band during the whole drama, because we must have looked like the Three Stooges up there.' Though Bono's inspired, impromptu interaction with the audience meant that U2 had no time to play a third song, Live Aid turned out to be a key chapter in the story of the band. As he wrote in his memoir Surrender: 40 Songs, One Story, it was 'a gigantic moment in the life of U2. In the life of so many musicians'. He took a more detached view of U2's actual performance, however: 'Influential though it was in the arc of our band, I confess that I find it excruciating to watch. It's a little humbling that during one of the greatest moments of your life, you're having a bad hair day. 'Now, some people would say that I've had a bad hair life, but when I am forced to look at footage of U2 playing Live Aid, there is only one thing that I can see. The mullet. All thoughts of altruism and of righteous anger, all the right reasons that we were there, all these flee my mind, and all I see is the ultimate bad hair day.' The line-up of artists at Wembley and Philadelphia's JFK Stadium that July day included so many stellar names: Bob Dylan, Sting, Beach Boys, Led Zeppelin, Santana, Dire Straits, David Bowie, Joan Baez, Eric Clapton, Simple Minds, Elton John, Madonna, Paul McCartney, Black Sabbath, Neil Young, Crosby, Stills & Nash, The Who, Brian Ferry, Mick Jagger, Tina Turner and Run DMC. Watching them all over the course of one unforgettable day was a global audience of one and a half billion - the largest ever. Led Zeppelin, who had broken up in 1980 after the death of drummer John Bonham, reformed as a one-off for Live Aid in Philadelphia. The Who, playing Wembley, had also got back together for the occasion. Zeppelin's performance, so eagerly awaited by their fans, was marred by any number of setbacks, and the band subsequently refused to allow footage of their songs to be included in the official Live Aid DVD. Black Sabbath, for their part, had been going through a particularly disruptive period, and their bass guitarist, Geezer Butler, seriously doubted whether the original line-up - himself, Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi and Bill Ward - would ever play together again. Osbourne, the band's singer, had been fired in April 1979, and replacements Ronnie James Dio and Ian Gillan had come and gone. Ozzy's solo career in the States was proving hugely successful, and when all four original Sabbath members got on stage in Philadelphia, it was the first such occasion since 1978. Sabbath were managed by the notorious Don Arden, Osbourne by his wife Sharon, Arden's daughter. A reunion had been tentatively mooted but in any event, Arden served Ozzy and Sharon with a writ. 'My father-in-law and my wife and I were in a f*****g war,' Osbourne said a few years ago. 'I was f*****g served [a lawsuit] at Live Aid by my father-in-law, for interference or some b******t, and nothing ever materialised from it.' Butler, for his part, has said that Arden was threatening to take legal action if Osbourne appeared under the Sabbath banner. Sabbath, a late addition to the line-up, had only one rehearsal before playing the first of their songs at Live Aid at 9.55am. "We hadn't slept and some of us were a bit hungover", Butler writes in his memoirs. "We didn't do a Queen and steal the show, but Think we got away with it". Dire Straits, for their part, didn't have far to walk to get onto the Wembley stage, as they happened to be playing 12 nights at Wembley Arena, across the road. At 6pm, they played a brief Live Aid set – Money for Nothing, and Sultans Of Swing – and casually made their way back to the Arena. 'We literally walked off the stage, out of the stadium and across the car park to the Arena,' the band's Guy Fletcher said in a Classic Rock magazine interview last month. 'I think John [Illsley] was even carrying his bass – and to some funny looks from the car park attendants, I might add.' Backstage in London, Billy Connolly heard Bob Geldof barking at someone on the phone. The call over, Connolly queried: 'Somebody on your back there?' Geldof replied: 'Somebody wanted to put Santana on next. They're f*****g c****!' Connolly, interviewed on a BBC documentary Live Aid: Against All Odds, laughed as he added: 'This guy from the Boomtown Rats telling me that Santana are c****. I don't think so!' Backstage at Wembley, David Bowie was a bag of nerves; and Eric Clapton, in Philly, was said by a later biographer to have been overcome with nerves, such was the global profile of the acts with whom he was competing. Read more: Geldof attacks Live Aid critics Live Aid names for sale The Band Aid controversy: the Scottish founder has his say Calling kids who bought the Band Aid record 'racist' is a disgrace 'Pathetic and appalling. I thought we dealt with this 20 years ago'; Geldof returns to Ethiopia and attacks lack of European aid Live Aid, which was put together by Geldof and Midge Ure, raised £40 million on the day – the equivalent of over £100m today – which was then used to provide relief of hunger and poverty in Ethiopia and the neighbourhood thereof. Between January 1985 and the release of the official Live Aid DVD in November 2004, the Band Aid Trust spent over £144m on the relief of famine in Africa. More than 30,000 TV viewers in Scotland got through to the special phone lines on July 13, 1985, donating a reported £300,000. Millions of people were moved to make all sorts of donations. Old couples sent in their wedding rings. One newly-wed couple even sold their new home and donated the proceeds. Live Aid was a colossal achievement, given that in excess of 70 artists and bands performed over 16 hours of live music across the London and Philadelphia concerts, all of them organised in just a few months. * Tomorrow night (Sunday, July 6) at 9pm, BBC Two will broadcast the first two parts of a three-part series, Live Aid At 40: When Rock'n'Roll Took on the World. Greatest Hits Radio will replay the entire concert next Sunday, July 13. Just for One Day: The Live Aid Musical is playing at the Shaftesbury Theatre in London.
UPI
20-06-2025
- Sport
- UPI
Forward Sam Bennett hints at return to NHL champion Florida Panthers
Florida Panthers center Sam Bennett is expected to be one of the top free agents in the NHL this summer, but could remain with the team after negotiations. File Photo by Archie Carpenter/UPI | License Photo MIAMI, June 20 (UPI) -- Stanley Cup star Sam Bennett, who is set to hit free agency, hinted at plans to return to the Florida Panthers during title celebrations, but his agent told UPI on Friday no contract is signed amid ongoing negotiations. Bennett hinted at a potential return while celebrating with his teammates and the Stanley Cup on Thursday night at E11even, a club in downtown Miami. The veteran forward, who led the NHL with 15 postseason goals, took a microphone and told the crowd "I ain't [expletive] leaving," borrowing a quote from the Wolf of Wall Street. Fans screamed in excitement in response to the message, as Queen's "We Are The Champions" blared from the speakers. "It was an incredible and emotional night for the Panthers and well-deserved," Bennett's agent, Darren Ferris, told UPI. "The celebrations have been amazing to see, and Sam's just taking it all in with his teammates right now. "At this time, no contract has been signed -- when there's something official, we'll share it accordingly." Bennett's comments came just two days after Panthers general manager Bill Zito said "I think we can bring them all back," when asked on TSN about retaining some of their key players set to hit free agency. Bennett, who turned 29 years old Friday, is to be one of the top free agents on the market. The No. 4 overall pick by the Calgary Flames in the 2014 NHL Draft joined the Panthers in a 2021 trade. He appeared in the Stanley Cup Final with the Panthers each of the last three postseasons, including their back-to-back title runs. Bennett totaled a career-high 51 points -- from 25 goals and 26 assists -- over 76 appearances during the 2024-25 regular season. The Conn Smythe Trophy winner eclipsed 40 points in each of his four full seasons with the Panthers, after failing to reach that mark in any season with the Flames.
Time of India
09-06-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Portugal beats Spain in penalty shootout to win Nations League
Munich: Cristiano Ronaldo hoisted up the Nations League trophy and "We Are The Champions" rang around the stadium after Portugal defeated Spain 5-3 in a penalty shootout in Munich on Sunday. Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa saved Alvaro Morata's fourth penalty for Spain, then Ruben Neves converted his team's fifth to seal the win after their match finished 2-2 after extra time. Morata was the only player to miss after seeing every player score their spot kicks before him. He was inconsolable. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like nhà container: Xu hướng nhà ở hiện đại và bền vững 2025 Visionary Echo Tìm Ngay Undo Ronaldo had kept Portugal in the game when he equalized in the 61st minute of regular time with his record-extending 138th international goal after Mikel Oyarzabal had given Spain a halftime lead. Oyarzabal squeezed the ball past Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa in the 45th after Pedri played him in. Live Events "It's a shame and it's tough, but with time it will be more appreciated," Oyarzabal said. "We struggled more in the second half, we were tired. The substitutions helped them. But we are proud of our team and we will fight to be close to winning a title again." Spain, still the European champion, failed to display the cohesion and fluency in attack that put five goals past France in the semifinal on Thursday. There was an element of fortune about the opening goal scored by Martin Zubimendi in the 21st when Portugal's defense failed to deal with Lamine Yamal's cross. Nuno Mendes leveled five minutes later when he drilled a low shot inside the far post. The 22-year-old left back was the player of the match - providing the cross that was deflected kindly for Ronaldo to score his equalizer, keeping Yamal in check, then confidently scoring his penalty in the shootout. Ronaldo was already off by then. He had gone off, exhausted, to standing ovations and a hug from coach Roberto Martinez in the 88th. In his previous game, Ronaldo led Portugal to its first win over Germany for 25 years. For Mendes and Paris Saint-Germain teammates Goncalo Ramos, Joao Neves and Vitinha, it was their second trophy in a little more than a week after winning the Champions League in the same stadium. Mbappe's 50th goal for France Kylian Mbappe led France to third place earlier Sunday with a 2-0 win over host nation Germany in Stuttgart. The Real Madrid star scored his 50th goal for France before setting up the other as Les Bleus rallied after a lethargic start. France coach Didier Deschamps had made his lack of enthusiasm for the game clear the day before, noting his team had little to gain. "The game is there, we'll play it," Deschamps had said. France was without injured PSG stars Ousmane Dembele and Bradley Barcola.
Qatar Tribune
02-06-2025
- Sport
- Qatar Tribune
Carnival atmosphere in Paris after Champions League success
PAMedia/DPA London Thousands of fans lined the Champs-Élysées on Sunday as Paris St Germain celebrated their Champions League triumph. PSG brought the trophy back to Paris for the first time after thrashing Inter Milan 5-0 in Munich on Saturday night - the record margin of victory in a Champions League final. The number of fans on the Champs-Élysées was limited to 100,000 after violence marred PSG's stunning victory. Two people died and the French interior ministry reported 559 arrests were made across France during the celebrations. But there was a carnival atmosphere in Paris as fans waved flags, lit flares and belted out the Queen anthem 'We Are The Champions.' An open top double-decker bus in the PSG colours of blue, red and white, with the words 'Champions D'Europe' written on it, made its way slowly down the Champs-Élysées to the Arc de Triomphe. PSG president Nasser Al Khelaifi, chairman of club owners Qatar Sports Investments, and head coach Luis Enrique - who won the Champions League in 2015 with Barcelona and became the seventh manager to lift the trophy with two different clubs - led the celebrations. The trophy was passed down the bus to every player, who were proudly wearing their winner's medals. Defender Presnel Kimpembe grabbed the microphone to sing 'Ici c'est Paris!' (This is Paris) and captain Marquinhos urged FIFA to reward Ousmane Dembele by saying 'Ousmane, Ballon d'Or.' France forward Dembele scored eight goals in PSG's European campaign and was named by UEFA as the best player in this season's Champions League. After the parade, the players and staff were received at the Élysée Palace by French President Emmanuel Macron. The celebrations concluded at the Parc des Princes on Sunday evening with a trophy presentation in front of the club's season ticket holders.
South Wales Argus
01-06-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Carnival atmosphere in Paris after Champions League success
PSG brought the trophy back to Paris for the first time after thrashing Inter Milan 5-0 in Munich on Saturday night – the record margin of victory in a Champions League final. The number of fans on the Champs Elysees were limited to 100,000 after violence marred PSG's stunning victory. Paris St Germain players presented the Champions League trophy to supporters during a parade on the Champs Elysees (Aurelien Morissard/AP) Two people died and the French interior ministry reported 559 arrests were made across France during the celebrations. But there was a carnival atmosphere in Paris as fans waved flags, lit flares and belted out the Queen anthem 'We Are The Champions'. An open top double-decker bus in the PSG colours of blue, red and white, with the words 'Champions D'Europe' written on it, made its way slowly down the Champs Elysees to the Arc de Triomphe. PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi, chairman of club owners Qatar Sports Investments, and head coach Luis Enrique – who won the Champions League in 2015 with Barcelona and became the seventh manager to lift the trophy with two different clubs – led the celebrations. PSG head coach Luis Enrique, right, and club president Al-Khelaifi, centre, enjoyed the trophy parade (Thibault Camus/AP) The trophy was passed down the bus to every player, who were proudly wearing their winner's medals. Defender Presnel Kimpembe grabbed the microphone to sing 'Ici c'est Paris!' (This is Paris) and captain Marquinhos urged FIFA to reward Ousmane Dembele for his efforts by saying 'Ousmane, Ballon d'Or.' France forward Dembele scored eight goals in PSG's European campaign and was named by UEFA as the best player in this season's Champions League. After the parade, the players and staff were received at the Elysee Palace by French president Emmanuel Macron. 'At last it's Paris,' said Macron. 'A lot of people know that as a teenage, 32 years ago, I was supporting the OM (Olympique Marseille) team in Munich. 'Now the Paris team has carried off the Champions League and you did it in a most sublime, fantastic way. 'You brought Paris to the top of Europe and you gave us all something to live for and be excited about together. 'It is a team with willpower, ambition and a sense of solidarity. French President Emmanuel Macron (centre) congratulates Paris St Germain players at the Elysee Palace after the team won the Champions League (Thomas Padilla/PA)) 'That's the football we like to see and that's the football you showed us – and I would like to say to Luis Enrique, 'We owe a lot to you for this victory'. 'You did it, finally Paris won, and this victory owes a lot to you Mr President (Al-Khelaifi). For 14 years you've been through a lot and you've always defended the club, the city and French football. 'There were years where it was hard for Qatar, but they kept believing in PSG.' The celebrations will conclude at the Parc des Princes on Sunday evening with a trophy presentation in front of the club's season ticket holders. There will also be a closing lap of honour from the players.
